The recent economic downturn has caused downsizing, reductions in force and similar changes in many industries, resulting in an increased risk of lawsuits from terminated employees. Employers undergoing such significant changes need to comply with the numerous state and federal laws that come into play when undertaking such actions, including the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act, the Older Worker Benefits Protection Act, anti-discrimination laws, and wage payment laws. Beyond technical compliance with the law, however, employers are best served by following certain legal and practical safeguards designed to avoid the many pitfalls that can lead to an employer being sued by a released employee.

This session will cover these laws and critical safeguards, and it will also address alternatives to reductions in force and other practical considerations that employers often overlook when faced with the prospect of terminating large numbers of employees.

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